Renowned child actor of ‘Tarre Zameen Par’ fame, Darsheel Safari, child actor of famous film ‘Bhootnath’, Aman Siddiqui and noted actor Mukesh Khanna adds colour to the radiance of Children’s Film Festival

The gala opening of International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF-2011) organized by City Montessori School happened today at CMS Kanpur Road auditorium. The unique children’s film festival, aimed at character building and all round development of younger generation was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mr Nakul Dubey, Urban Development Minister, UP by lighting the lamp of learning. The occasion became even more luminous by the presence of Renowned child actor of ‘Tarre Zameen Par’ fame, Darsheel Safari, child actor of famous film ‘Bhootnath’, Aman Siddiqui and noted actor Mukesh Khanna who essayed the evergreen role of Bhishma Pitamah in mega tele serial ‘Mahabharat’ as well as the popular role of ‘Shaktiman’. A large gathering of approximately 5000 students and VIP guests vouched for the authenticity and worth of this festival. On this occasion, Guests of Honour Father Lobo, Principal, St. Francis College, Dr Donald, Chancellor & spokes person of Cathelic Diocese of Lucknow, Dr Fransic, Professor of OXford University besides other eminent personalities of Lucknow and educators profusely praised CMS for holding this event. It may be mentioned here that Films Division of City Montessori School is organizing 3rd International Children’s Film Festival from 5 to 11 April at the CMS Kanpur Road auditorium in which the best educative children’s films of 31 countries will be screened without any charge.

The film ‘Toonpur Ka Super Hero’ directed by Kireet Khurana with Ajay Devgan and Kajol in the lead, was screened as the opening film of the International Children’s Film Festival that left the audience pondering on the better future of children and younger generation. This inspirational film gave the message to the parents that how necessary it is for the parents to give time to their children. On this occasion, students of several schools of Lucknow enjoyed the educational films which include Modern Progressive Public School, Nutal Bal Vidya Mandir, Hoerner College, St. Francis College, J. B. R. Public School, Study World School, Little Flower’s Convent School, CMS Kanpur Road campus, Arvindo Sacred Heart’s School, Lok Bharti Public School, New Bal Vikas High School, Dabble College, Nirmala Paramount High School, CDSN Inter College, KPS Convent High School, Pragya Balika Inter College, Touch Special Care, Jyoti Kiran, Navdeep Vishisht Vidyalaya, Don Bosco School and Mangalm etc.

While inaugurating this International Children’s Film Festival, the Chief Guest, Mr Nakul Dubey, Minister for Urban Development, UP, said that films are a powerful medium of education and that it is his firm belief that this International Children’s Film Festival will prove to be beneficial in moulding the minds of parents and teachers also apart from children to develop positive outlook towards society. Addressing the large gathering on this occasion, the renowned film and TV actor, Mr Mukesh Khanna expressed his hope that value-based, cultural and morally educative films that will be screened during the film festival will definitely lead the young generation on to the right path. He profusely commended CMS for this mega event and view it as helpful in developing character building and moral traits in them.

At the press conference organized in the afternoon, child actor of the film ‘Bhootnath’, Aman Siddiqui and child actor of the film ‘Tarre Zameen Par’ met with the journalists and expressed his ideas before them. Talking to press reporters, Aman Siddiqui said that he is extremely happy to be among children of his age group and meeting them is really gladdening at heart. This festival will help children to explore their latent talents. Addressing the journalists Aman bared out different facets of his personality. Film actor Darsheel Safari said that this festival is unique and is specially important to children. He also spoke about his forthcoming film which is action packed.

On this occasion, Dr Jagdish Gandhi, renowned educationist and founder of CMS briefed the media on the aims and objectives of International Children’s Film Festival. Dr Gandhi Said that this International Children’s Film Festival is not meant for entertainment only rather its an integral part of education. Children’s film festival aims to impart better concepts to children besides giving a healthy entertainment to them so that their moral and social values strengthen and they could built a clean and happy world. Dr Gandhi emphasized that good and ideal films are the powerful tools in creating an environment of moral and spiritual values to the children.

Dr Gandhi informed that famous film stars and film personalties are coming to add colours in this seven day International Children’s Film Festival that is dedicated to World Unity and World Peace. In this International Children’s Film Festival, on 6 April, the first show will be inaugurated by famous film  and TV actor Mr Rajit Kapoor; on 7 April by renowned playback singer,

Mr Abhijeet Bhattacharya; on 8 April by film actress and director, Ms Kamini Kaushal and on 9 April by renowned film maker, Mr Shyam Benegal. Besides this, Production director of Pune Film Institute, Mumbai, Mr Shiv Kumar; Production-Director, Bangaluru Mr Girish Kasrodhi; renowned personality from Polish Film Institute, Poland Dr (Ms) Anna Naderhaus and Mr David Libkind, film producer of Israel etc. will be among the honoured jury members at this entertaining and educative film festival.

Director of ICFF-2011, Mr Verghese Kurian said that CMS is the first school of its kind that organizes such children’s film festival. He said that the films screened during ICFF-2011 are especially made for the children that carry values. He informed that during the ICFF, excellent films from several countries will be screened free of cost and also several awards will be given to the best films viz children’s best feature film, best animation features and short animation film etc. Thus, a total of ten lakhs rupees will be given away as prize money in the awards.

Chief Public Relations Officer of CMS Mr Hari Om Sharma informed that this International Children’s Film Festival is absolutely free for the children, youths, parents and teachers of all the schools of Lucknow on ‘first come first serve’ basis. Three shows will be run during the ICFF-2011 in which the first show will be 9.00 am to 11.30 am; second show will be 12.00 noon to 2.30 pm and the third show 3.00 pm to 5.30 pm. He said that this film festival of CMS is not meant for entertainment only rather its an important part of education. Good and idealistic films can be the powerful medium to spread education, build moral and spiritual atmosphere and instil humanistic characteristics in children,he said.

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